SALT LAKE CITY - Real Salt Lake (1-3-2, 5 pts.) returns home this week with revenge on the collective mind heading into rematches Saturday against Western Conference leaders Los Angeles Galaxy (4-1-0, 12 pts.) at Rice-Eccles Stadium at 7:30 p.m. MT and next Wednesday against expansion brethren CD Chivas USA.
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One month ago, during Week Two, RSL FW Jason Kreis scored the first goal in team history, but the day belonged to Los Angeles FW Landon Donovan, who made his return to MLS a memorable one, scoring two goals and adding the game-winning assist in the Galaxy's 3-1 win over RSL.
"BEAT L.A." POPULAR MANTRA FOR NEXT 10 DAYS: Real Salt Lake hopes to remain undefeated at home this season, with its next two games against SoCal representatives. RSL is looking for revenge this weekend against the Los Angeles Galaxy, which gave RSL its first loss of the season on April 9, and welcomes CD Chivas USA (1-4-1, 4pts.) to Rice-Eccles just four days later in a rematch of 2005 expansion teams. The game against Chivas represents RSL's first Wednesday night contest of the season, with RSL looking to put Saturday's devastating 1-0 loss behind them.
HOME SWEET HOME FOR FOUR OF THE NEXT FIVE: RSL remains unbeaten at home this season and kicks off a home stretch of four out of the next five games at Rice-Eccles. RSL began its existence with four of its first six games on the road, in contrast to the Galaxy's eight of its first 11 games at home, including a "road" match at CD Chivas USA. The following is RSL's schedule during the next five games:
DAY/DATE OPPONENT TIME (MT)
Saturday, May 14 Los Angeles Galaxy 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 18 CD Chivas USA 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 21 @ Columbus Crew 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 28 Chicago Fire 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 4 FC Dallas 8:00 p.m.
RSL INJURY REPORT:
PLAYER STATUS INJURY
MF Andy Williams PROBABLE L groin strain
DF Rustin Pierce PROBABLE L hamstring tightness
FW Clint Mathis PROBABLE Lower back contusion
GK DJ Countess QUESTIONABLE Minor L shoulder subluxation
GK Noah Palmer OUT R shoulder cartilage tear
ELLINGER, DONOVAN REUNITED AGAIN: RSL Head Coach John Ellinger again welcomes one of his former pupils from the U-17 level, as American soccer icon Landon Donovan makes his first stop in Utah this weekend. The American wunderkind honed his abilities and skills at the U.S. U-17 residency program in 1998 and 1999, before signing with German power Bayer Leverkusen at the age of 16 and spending the 2001-2004 seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes.
SLC-BORN SAMPSON RETURNS HOME: Los Angeles Head Coach Steve Sampson makes his return to Salt Lake City in the team's first trip to his place of birth. Sampson has guided the Galaxy to the top spot in the Western Conference this season, after assuming the reins in mid-August last year and becoming the fourth coach in club history. He directed the club for the last two and a half months of the 2004 regular season and their playoff run, eventually losing to the Kansas City Wizards in the Western Conference Championship Game.
RSL TO FACE SEATTLE SOUNDERS IN MIDWEEK FRIENDLY: RSL will play an exhibition game against the Seattle Sounders at Qwest Field in Seattle, Wash., on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. MT. MF Leighton O'Brien is slated to play his former team after signing with RSL on March 29. The 29-year old Washington native was in his final year of a three-year deal with the Sounders before signing with RSL. In 2002, O'Brien earned A-League MVP and assist honors when he tallied 13 goals and 11 assists in 27 games with the Sounders. RSL senior team members making the trip to the Pacific Northwest, in addition to the developmental squad, include FW Jason Kreis, FW Dipsy Selolwane, DF Brian Dunseth, MF Chris Brown, MF Evan Whitfield, D/M Seth Trembly and DF Matt Behncke.
FOX 13 LIVE FROM RICE-ECCLES ON TUESDAY MORNING: Fox 13's "Good Day Utah" show and host Shauna Thomas will air several segments live from Rice-Eccles Stadium on Tuesday morning from 6:00 - 9:00 a.m. Several RSL players are scheduled to participate, including DF Brian Dunseth, MF Tiger Fitzpatrick, FW Jamie Watson and GK Jay Nolly. RSL GM Steve Pastorino will be a guest during the 6 a.m. hour before turning the festivities over to the players.
"DRIVE FOR FIVE" THOUSAND SEASON TICKETS IS ON; RSL TICKET STAFF AMONGST LEAGUE LEADERS: Real Salt Lake sits just 500 season tickets short of its stated goal of 5,000 season tickets for its inaugural MLS season, and it is looking for one final push to accomplish its goal prior to June 1. RSL is projected to finish in the top three of overall revenue and season ticket revenue. RSL currently leads the League in new season ticket revenues and is third in overall season ticket revenues in MLS. Fans can help RSL reach it goal by purchasing flex-plan, mini plan or pro-rated season ticket packages. The deadline for reaching 5,000 is Wednesday, June 1, 2005. On another note, RSL has four ticket sales staff members - Chad Sackett, Kris Katseanes, Andy Cho and Greg Zaskowski - in the top six in the League, and six, including Jorge Perea and Cory Carpenter - in the top 10.
RSL RESERVES TO PLAY L.A. SUNDAY IN PARK CITY: The RSL reserves return to the field for their third MLS game (and fifth overall) as they face the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday, May 15, 2005 at Trailside Park in Park City, Utah at 9:00 a.m. MT. The game is open to the public with no ticket required for entrance. Directions to Trailside Park follow:
1. I-80 East to US-40
2. Take US-40 South towards Heber City
3. Exit Silver Summit Parkway West
4. Turn right on Trailside Drive (park is on your left)
During the team's first meeting in L.A., the first half ended with a 1-1 draw with a goal from FW Jordan Cila. The Galaxy started the second half with a goal in the 47th minute by FW Joseph Ngwenya. FW Jamie Watson tied the game in the 73rd minute when he collected a pass in the penalty area, slotting his shot home. The remainder of the game belonged to the Galaxy with Ngwenya scoring his second goal and FW Herculez Gomez also finding the back of the net.
RSL COACHES & PLAYERS ON LOCAL RADIO: RSL Head Coach John Ellinger continues his weekly appearance live on 1280 The Zone with David James and Patrick Kinahan on "The Manly Morning Show" tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. MT. DF Brian Dunseth and rookie FW Jamie Watson will be live on 97.1 ZHT on Friday, May 12, at 8:00 a.m. MT. Finally, tune in to 1280 The Zone every Thursday, at 2:30 p.m. MT. with Ryan Hatch and David Fox on "Hatch and Hollywood" and get the latest insight on the team from an RSL player.
TRAINING SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF May 9, 2005:
**All practices are open to Media members. All times and locations are subject to change.
DAY/DATE SITE TIME (MT)
Tuesday, May 10 Rice-Eccles Stadium 10:00 a.m.
TRAVEL to SEATTLE 2:05 p.m.
Wednesday, May 11 OFF DAY
Game @ Seattle Sounders (USL) 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 12 Rice-Eccles Stadium 12:30 p.m.
Friday, May 13 Rice-Eccles Stadium 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, May 14 GAME vs. Los Angeles Galaxy 7:30 p.m.
SEASON TICKETS STILL SELLING BRISKLY: Real Salt Lake season ticket packages, now pro-rated following the first two games, remain on sale. The RSL 2005 season ticket package now features 19 games, including the remaining 14 MLS regular season games, four special bonus games and the highly-anticipated U.S.-Costa Rica World Cup Qualifier on June 4. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the RSL Ticket Office at 515 South 700 East, #2R, SLC, UT 84102, by logging onto www.RealSaltLake.com or by contacting the Real Salt Lake Ticket Office at (866) 9-SOCCER.
GET YOUR FLEX ON WITH NEW SEASON TICKET OPTION: To add more options for fans, RSL now offers the Flex Season Ticket Package, which is comprised of twenty vouchers of the same price category (North Goal, Corner Flag, Premium and VIP) that allows the purchaser to determine which games they would like to see in the regular reason and how many tickets needed for that game. Prices for the 2005 Flex Package are $260 for the North Goal, $320 for the Corner Flag, $440 for the East Sideline and $560 for the VIP seats. Tickets can be redeemed in the following way: one could use all the vouchers and bring 20 people to one game or 4 people could attend five games. Flex vouchers are discounted from the day of game pricing making it an even greater value. Vouchers can be redeemed in advance through the Real Salt Lake Front Office by mail or in person or on the day of the game at the Real Salt Lake Customer Service Window. Seating is best available per price category at the time of redemption. The June 4th US-Costa Rica and RSL-FC Dallas doubleheader is not included in the flex package.
SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE: Real Salt Lake single-game tickets for its inaugural 2005 season at Rice-Eccles Stadium continue to be on sale both online and at the University of Utah Ticket Office, located at the Stadium's south end. Individual game prices are $14 for north goal, $18 for corner flag, $25 for premier east and $32 for VIP west. Individual game tickets can be purchased by visiting the Utah Ticket Office at 451 South 1400 East, by logging onto www.utahtickets.com or by contacting the Ticket Office at (801) 581-UTIX. Fans are continued to be encouraged to purchase in advance.
ACCESS REAL: Real fans can now receive up-to-date information on the team by signing up for the RSL Weekly Newsletter at the fans section of Real Salt Lake.com.
MLS CAMPS: MLS Camps, the Official Camp and Clinic of Major League Soccer, has partnered with Real Salt Lake to provide Packaged Camps, Clinic & Training Services and Supply Opportunities to the Greater Utah Community. To host a Program in your community, call (800) 680-6272 or by logging onto www.MLScamps.com and register for a program near you.
